Kidnapping suspect ordered to trial in police pursuit

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A West Virginia man facing arrest in a child abduction case and accused of leaving the kidnapped girl with a stranger in Washington County was ordered Wednesday to stand trial in neighboring Allegheny County in connection with a police pursuit that led to his capture.

District Judge Pat Capoluto in Pleasant Hills ordered there was enough evidence to hold James Adam White, 23, of Morgantown, for trial in Allegheny County Court on a string of charges over accusations he led police on a Feb. 8 chase from the Mon-Fayette Expressway near California to a roadblock along Route 51 in Baldwin, where he was taken into custody, court records show.

White also is wanted by law enforcement in West Virginia on charges he stole a car and drove off Feb. 8 with 2-year-old Starr Parks of Reedville, W.Va., taking her to Richeyville, where he allegedly left her with a man who offered him a ride. Pennsylvania state police said White then stole a cable repair van in Richeyville and later crashed it into police vehicles involved the pursuit.

White is awaiting trial on one count of fleeing or attempting to elude offices filed by state police in Pittsburgh, as well as five counts each of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest, court records indicate.

He is in the Allegheny County jail on $1 million bond, awaiting his formal arraignment in Allegheny County Court scheduled for 11 a.m. May 7.

Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone has said state police in Pittsburgh likely will add charges to the case dealing with the stolen van.